The new Roomba has a really clever mop
11.9.2023
Translation: machine translated
The new Roomba j9 can do everything that is standard in a top vacuum robot today. In addition, iRobot wants to score points with clever details. But what has the manufacturer come up with?
iRobot is no longer the undisputed top dog. Although the US company has been building robot hoovers for over 20 years, the competition has become incredibly strong in recent years - and has even surpassed the pioneer in terms of features in some cases.
With the new Roomba j9, iRobot now wants to be back at the forefront of technology and features. The new products will be available in December and, depending on the version, the robot hoovers will probably cost around 900 to 1300 francs.
Update: iRobot Switzerland has now confirmed the launch of the most expensive model, the Combo j9 Plus, for Switzerland. In shops in December for 1299 francs. The cheaper models will come a little later.
Source: iRobot
Mop in height makes carpet happy
iRobot is trying to set itself apart from the competition with clever details. The Roomba Combo j9 Plus has - like the competition - a mop that picks up the floor immediately after vacuuming. Of course, you don't want that on carpeted floors. Other models therefore lift the mop slightly - or you have to remove it by hand.
Dreame presented the L20 Ultra at the IFA in Berlin, which can even drop the mop automatically in the base station. Of course, it then has to move back and forth.
With iRobot, the mop is simply lifted completely over the robot and placed on top. This means it is always available - but does not come into contact with a deep-pile carpet.
Clever solution to the problem of damp pick-up
The Roomba Combo j7+ already has this mop. However, the large mop pad is static and is therefore less effective at removing dirt than circular mops. With the j9, this is solved by a technology called "SmartScrub".
Instead of moving the mop, the robot moves back and forth, imitating the movement that you would make by hand when picking up damp. To prevent this from taking forever and draining the battery quickly, this only happens where the sensors detect heavy soiling.
The good news for everyone with a Combo j7+: This function is to be delivered subsequently via an update.
The "Dirt Detective" tracks down the dust
In addition to the j7, the Combo j9 Plus offers a newly designed suction station that can automatically refill the robot's water tank. The suction power in the new models is also said to be better than in all previous Roomba robots
If you don't need a wet pick-up, the j9 Plus is also available without a combo - i.e. without a mop pad and water tank. This adds a few hundred francs to the price. The rest of the technology is the same. For example, intelligent avoidance of unexpected obstacles with sensors and a camera.
Source: iRobot
The new software also has a built-in "Dirt Detective". On the one hand, the Dirt Detective tells you where in particular you need to scrub. On the other hand, it also learns which rooms are particularly dirty - and takes care of these first.
The beautifully designed docking station automatically empties dust and dirt. However, you have to remove and wash the mop yourself.
You can find out what new robot hoovers the other manufacturers have introduced in recent weeks here.
Cover photo: iRobot
Lorenz Keller
Senior Editor
Lorenz.Keller@digitecgalaxus.chGadgets are my passion - whether you need them for the home office, for the household, for sport and pleasure or for the smart home. Or, of course, for the big hobby next to the family, namely fishing.
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